Dr. Harry Loewen, died on Wednesday, September 16, in Kelowna, British Columbia, after a lengthy struggle with cancer. Born in 1930 in the Soviet Union, Loewen came to Canada as a refugee after the Second World War and led a life of service and scholarship until his death. He served the University of Winnipeg as Professor of History and inaugural holder of the Chair in Mennonite Studies from 1978-1996. He was a founding editor of the Journal of Mennonite Studies, organized annual symposia in the field, and lectured at educational institutions throughout North and South America as well as in Europe during his distinguished academic career. An accomplished scholar of German, Russian, and Mennonite literature and history, Loewen authored and edited fourteen books, the last of which, a lengthy study of Martin Luther, he completed during the course of his illness. That study was published by WLU Press earlier this year and launched at an event at Mosaic Books in Kelowna. A memorial service is planned for the First Mennonite Church in Kelowna in October, 2016.

Dr. Loewen leaves behind many friends and colleagues, past and present.